After two years of construction, Trans Oceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) has put "Anemos" into operation. The French shipping company has been moving freight on chartered traditional sailing ships similar to Timbercoast's "Avontuur" since 2011. TOWT founders Diana Mesa and Guillaume Le Grand have reached a milestone with their newbuild. At 81 metres in length, the steel schooner is the world's largest cargo ship and, depending on the wind on the respective passage, is expected to emit 90 percent less CO2 than ships powered solely by crude oil. The cargo capacity of "Anemos" is 1,100 tonnes, while 150-metre-long feeder ships can carry up to 13,000 tonnes.
Although recordings and experience in strong winds are still pending, the TOWT ship evokes memories of Flying P-Liners. In contrast to the fast square-rigged sailboats, the high-rigged TOWT schooners should also make good headway against the wind. CEO Le Grand reports: "I was just on board and we sailed against the wind at five knots, with only five knots of wind. That really surprised us, as we thought that light winds were our weakness."
Cargo sailors with powerful and reliable sail systems
The construction contract was awarded to the French Piriou shipyard, which had the "Anemos" hull welded in Romania and fitted out in Concarneau, Brittany. The 52 metre long carbon masts from Lorima with furling systems and aluminium main booms weighing almost ten tonnes ensure good sailing performance. The two jibs are attached to booms that run over curved rails. With the genoa unfurled, "Anemos" has a total sail area of 2,500 square metres.
Regarding the handling, Le Grand, who is an experienced sailor, says: "We are dealing with very heavy loads every day. We also sail differently to sailing superyachts of this size with a limited crew." The aim is to achieve an average speed of 10.5 knots and a top speed of more than 16 knots. Le Grand is certain that 20 knots could be achieved, and the crew would start reefing from 20 knots of wind. Diesel generators kick in to provide support in very light winds, and from around seven knots, electricity is generated using hydrogeneration.
Cognac and champagne to the USA, coffee from Colombia
In Le Havre, 1,000 tonnes of cognac and champagne were loaded on board "Anemos" for the first time. According to Le Grand, 98 per cent of French cognac is traditionally exported. "We didn't expect this level of demand. We have no sponsors, we are merchants. Our customers come to us for decarbonisation reasons, but also because they want to take up the challenge." Early supporters include Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët, the cognac and sparkling wine division of the French spirits group Pernod Ricard. The name Mumm became famous in sailing circles in the 1990s thanks to the Mumm 36 regatta series. According to TOWT, Mumm Perrier-Jouët is endeavouring to make cargo shipping the main means of transport to the USA in the long term. Thanks to sophisticated ventilation, wines are stored in the belly of the ship in a controlled manner similar to a wine cellar.
However, bottles from smaller wineries such as the Demeter-certified Château La Coste are also on board. The freight rate averages around 400 euros per US pallet (depending on the quantity) and - as Le Grand emphasises - is not affected by fluctuations in the oil price. After the stop in New York, "Anemos" will head for Colombia, where coffee will be loaded on board. It is also conceivable that the rum route from the Caribbean to France could be revitalised. The French emphasise sustainable consumer awareness with a seal on the respective bottles or products. Anyone who enters the specified voyage number on the TOWT website will receive information on the CO2 emissions and voyage history of the purchased product.
Liner service with eight cargo ships planned
A sister ship to "Anemos" is about to be delivered in Ho Chi Minh City. The 81-metre "Artemis" is due to leave Piriou Vietnam in the next few weeks with sportswear and electronics in its cargo holds and travel to Le Havre via Cape Town, where it will be loaded with rooibos tea, among other things. Customers come from a wide range of industries, and the Bonne Maman brand also wants to transport its jams from France to the rest of the world by cargo ship. The aim is to transport 72,000 tonnes of goods a year on the two ships.
In the long term, TOWT would like to start regular operations. Guillaume Le Grand told YACHT that six more 81-metre schooners are to be built. With a fleet of eight cargo sailing ships, the aim is to offer weekly departures from Le Havre. Twelve guests can already travel on board and experience speedy crossings: "I assume that we will cross the Atlantic faster than some container ships."
